DTI taps ‘sari-sari’ stores to bring affordable goods to consumers
RESPONDING to calls from consumers to bring affordable basic goods to their neighborhood “sari-sari” stores, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) on Wednesday launched a project inviting their owners, wholesalers and cooperatives willing to comply with the DTI’s suggested retail prices (SRP) initially in Metro Manila
“The DTI Suking Tindahan program was conceived by Secretary Ramon Lopez to heed the call of consumers for reasonably-priced basic and prime goods to be made available at their neighborhood sari-sari stores,” the DTI said in a statement.
At the same time, Lopez is gearing up for a “nationwide roll-out,” the DTI said.
Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez (2nd to the right) and Marikina City Mayor Marcy Teodoro (right) inspect the prices of meat and prime commodities at the Marikina Public Market on Wednesday, August 15, 2018. PHOTO BY ROGER RAÑADA
“Thus, we are calling on all sari-sari stores to volunteer for the program,” the DTI said.
Led by Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez and Undersecretary Ruth Castelo, the “DTI Suking Tindahan: Sulit at Risonableng Presyo” was first launched at the Marikina Public Market in Barangay Sta. Elena, which Mayor Marcelino Teodoro also attended.
Marikina was one of the hard-hit areas of the heavy rains and floods induced by the southwest monsoon over the weekend.
Aside from the pubic market, the DTI also included Noel & Jenny Sari-Sari Store, Francing Store, and Lacson Grocery in Marikina in its maiden launch.
Other stores that qualified in other parts of Metro Manila are: Bea Brain Josh Store and Ingrid Store in Quezon City; Edison Sari-Sari Store in Navotas City; Centennial Village Multi-Purposes Coop in Taguig; and Four E General Merchandise in Manila.
Qualified stores will be receiving benefits such as inclusion in promotional activities of the DTI, financial loan or assistance through “Pondo sa Pagbabago” and “Pagasenso (P3)”. To top it all, these stores will make it convenient for consumers to buy basic goods at affordable prices, said Castelo, of the DTI Consumer Protection Group.
Marikina Mayor Teodoro said he hoped to have more stores under the DTI’s program. ATHENA LUCASAN
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